Chinese release cut price solar powered phone

Chinese phone maker ZTE has released a cut price phone that runs off
solar power.

The "Coral-200-Solar" of ZTE powered with solar energy is being
shown off at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. ZTE said that the
phone will go on sale in June for under $US40 and will be launched in Haiti,
Samoa and Papua New Guinea.

Wang Yong Zhong, general manager of ZTE told
assorted hacks that there are more than two billion people who have limited or
no access to electricity and this phone is for them.

A charge of one hour in
full sunlight would offer 15 minutes of talk time, the companies said, but you
could also plug it into the mains if you like.